2019 Women's World Cup

Norwegian here.

The simple answer is that she threw her toys out the pram. Though she was supposed to be the star player carrying the team in 2017, but was perhaps the player that disappointed the most. In the fallout of that disastrous campaign, she immediately started pointing fingers and implicitly saying she was too good for the national set up.

That of course, is the simple answer. The reality is a bit more complex, as some of those pointing fingers were well-placed. The organisation around the women's team in 2017 was - for the lack of a better word - ****e, and being used to the professional set-up at Lyon, Hegerberg was righly angered by the support staff's inability to organise even simple things.

However, the football association - probably spurred by the humilitation - has since taken steps to clean up their act, and the women side has new management, lead by former player Lise Klaveness. Sjögren's side has developed a lot, and Klaveness has been making moves to reconcile with Hegerberg.

Despite attempts at a solution, Hegerberg has remained aloof. Despite being given the chance in numerous interviews, she has never clarified what it would take for her to return, usually making vague statements such as 'the set-up isn't right'.

Nowadays, Hegerberg conveniently hides behind the idea that it would be wrong for her to waltz right into the team after everyone else fought through qualification. There's no indication that she'll be willing to return to the team after the tournament, however.

In sum, it's not really clear what the issue is. There's no clear concensus in Norway, with some believing she's simply a primadonna who believes she's too good for the national team. Some believe she's a cynic who prioritieses her team career. Other's still take her side and place the blame squarely on the association.

My personal opinion is that it's probably a mix of all of them, though more weighted towards the former two reasons. If it was just about the national team being poorly run, I'd expect some of the other senior players, such as Maren Mjelde or Isabell Herlovsen to voice their concerns as well. However, it appears that Hegerberg is the only one with an issue. Besides, the Argentine football association is a proper cluster****, but Messi has been carrying that team on his shoulders for at least ten years regardless (one non-retirement aside). Make that of what you will...

dfx- wrote: »

France are the best side imo. The US will be thereabouts. Japan might be, Germany might be, England believe they will be. Netherlands were very good at the Euros, handily beating England.

The Scandinavian teams flatter to deceive and Norway badly miss Hegerberg. Denmark were excellent against England but lost 2-0 last week. Summed up England very well.

Anyone but the US and England.

MD1990 wrote: »

it will be very poor.

Women's football has improved but the standard generally is poor. Game is too slow & Goalkeepers are awful.

Chivito550 wrote: »

Wish people would stop comparing the women’s game to the men’s game. You NEVER hear people dismissing the achievements of Sonia O’Sullivan, Laura Muir, Allyson Felix etc because they are slower than Irish male club level athletes. It’s common knowledge that men are stronger and faster than women. If you don’t like it don’t watch it.

Rebelbrowser wrote: »

I think it might be a slow burner viewing wise. V little else to watch midweek once summer starts. Think it could prove a big breakthrough for female sports actually.

Rebelbrowser wrote: »

I think it might be a slow burner viewing wise. V little else to watch midweek once summer starts. Think it could prove a big breakthrough for female sports actually.

dfx- wrote: »

Germany very lucky to be going in 0-0 at HT.